Inspiration

[Loves]

What do you do to get yourself into the mood to write if you've lost the will/enthusiasm to write?

[jherrick]

A cd often helps for me. People approach their projects different ways, but for me, I do a detailed sketch of my books from start to finish before writing any drafts. That way, when I don't feel particularly inspired or scared nothing will come forth (which I feel like half the time!), I have a plan in front of me and it triggers the next idea. The key for me has always been to just show up with a plan, and if I don't feel like writing, to do it anyway (just like a normal job)--the words usually come! Even if you feel like you weren't too productive that day, any written words are progress. My key is to get something down on paper, because you'll end up improving it in your revisions anyway. Hope that helps! 

[ShaunaG]

Before I start any new project I create a playlist for that tone of book to help me put my head in the right space when I sit down in front of it.

If that doesnt work then I make myself a deal. I'll tell myself I can have (blank) or I can do (blank) if I get 1,000 words done. 1000 is my daily word count minimum.

I dont believe in waiting for a muse or inspiration - yes, some/most days it works like that and I do things to help that concept (like music) - but I treat writing like a job and I have to get the work done whether I'm in the mood or not. I do always allow myself a break in between projects so I dont get burned out though.

[KateEllison]

Before I start any new project I create a playlist for that tone of book to help me put my head in the right space when I sit down in front of it.

If that doesnt work then I make myself a deal. I'll tell myself I can have (blank) or I can do (blank) if I get 1,000 words done. 1000 is my daily word count minimum.

I dont believe in waiting for a muse or inspiration - yes, some/most days it works like that and I do things to help that concept (like music) - but I treat writing like a job and I have to get the work done whether I'm in the mood or not. I do always allow myself a break in between projects so I dont get burned out though.

YES. THIS.

Seriously, I either listen to music or I force myself to write a specific word count. If neither of those things help, I pick up an old favorite novel that inspired me to be a writer in the first place and try to remember why I love doing this. That usually helps if nothing else does.

[Loves]

Music helped motivate me to finish my first book.

I guess a good boot in the rear never hurts, either.

[sarahdalton]

The morning helps me.

Pretty much as soon as I'm up I go to the computer and write. It's the only time I can really focus. By the afternoon I begin to procrastinate but usually I work enough in the mornings to go slow in the afternoons.

If I'm stuck I read a book or I re-read my own work.

[anne_holly]

This might sound incredibly pompous, but I find useful the quote (attributed at some point to basically every popular writer ever): Amateurs wait for inspiration; professionals just get up and go to work.

While I have no idea if I am a professional, amateur, hobbyist, enthusiast, whatever, whatever, I find this quote motivational.

If you wait for inspiration, and it never comes, the darned book will never finish itself. I write everyday, whether it comes easily or not. However, 9 times out of 10, once I get started, the rust sheds itself and gets me flowing again.

Not writing because I feel a block just gives me the writing yips and can really stall a book's progress, or even kill the idea, in my experience.

[Steve Richer]

In the unsung series Action, Adam has writer's block. Wendy's task is to stimulate him into finishing his script:

Wendy Ward: Adam, do you know what I used to do?
Adam Rafkin: You were a prostitute.
Wendy Ward: Adam, do you know what a two-fingered Mexican oil job is?
Adam Rafkin: No.
Wendy Ward: I do. Do you know what a double-knobbed rubber-bottom sex-basket is?
Adam Rafkin: No.
Wendy Ward: I own one, Adam. Adam, have you ever had a Dominican face-hat?
Adam Rafkin: No.
Wendy Ward: Of course you haven't. Cause I'm one of only six people in the world who knows how to do it, and Adam, when you get to page 80 I will do it *to you*.

[BuddyGott]

If I'm stuck on what I'm working on or just don't feel like working on it, I'll sometimes open up a blank document and just start typing whatever pops into my head.

It's often something as simple as a story about a trip to the store or about watching my cat chase a squirrel. The thing is, after doing it for a page or so, I've loosened myself up and I'm ready to get back to work on my WIP.

And like others have already said, music also helps out a lot. 

[Seanathin23]

I usually just build a playlist and just start writting, I'm working a thriller that harkens back to 80's action movies so I have a bunch of 80's pop on my ipob where as fantacy might get me Lord of the Ring and Game of Thrones. When a massive block happons, or generally I'm just not feeling a story, I move on to somthing else for a day or so and then go back to the main WIP refreshed.

[Ryne Douglas Pearson]

Sorry if I sound Yoda-like here, but there is no 'will', there is only 'do'. There may be days when I don't 'want' to write, but it's my job, so I 'do' it.

[anne_holly]

I actually have the exact opposite experience with music. If I am already not in the mood to write, music is an excuse to allow myself be distracted. I will, however, sometimes play music when I'm in the groove.

[neciaphoenix]

Sorry if I sound Yoda-like here, but there is no 'will', there is only 'do'. There may be days when I don't 'want' to write, but it's my job, so I 'do' it.

I fully agree with this. If I'm having trouble getting myself to write (it's an internal fight sometimes) I will set a goal for 100 words and write till I get that then set a goal of 100 more. I'll have music playing in the background, sometimes I'll do some words and the cruise through wallpaper websites, then go back to writing, but the thing is you have to get your butt in the chair and write.

Sometimes you just have to grit your teeth through it, or grit beef jerky or a really tough piece of steak, then you get dinner while fighting for words...

Usually about 300 words in I am on a roll and just keep going.
I have a LJ user icon that I love; it says "You can't wait for inspiration; You have to go after it with a club"  and this is really what I try to remember. We DECIDE to write or not write. It might not be easy, but it is do-able.

[George Berger]

Usually if I want to write, but it's not happening, I'll go sit down with my notes and a pen and work on the outline for a while. Two or three handwritten pages of notes and such usually gets the (un)creative juices flowing, and then I'm usually good for a couple thousand words.

Helps inspire me, and helps me stay on plot.

[J.G. McKenney]

Fear and guilt work for me. Having said that, here I am wasting time again.